The South Montgomery County Fire Department and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating a fire that was intentionally set inside an Imperial Oaks home Wednesday afternoon. Investigators said another fire previously had been set at the home less than 24 hours before, and investigators are treating the incident as an arson case.

The South Montgomery County Fire Department and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating a fire that was intentionally set inside an Imperial Oaks home Wednesday afternoon. Investigators

The South Montgomery County Fire Department and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating a fire that was intentionally set inside an Imperial Oaks home Wednesday afternoon. Investigators said another fire previously had been set at the home less than 24 hours before, and investigators are treating the incident as an arson case.

The South Montgomery County Fire Department and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating a fire that was intentionally set inside an Imperial Oaks home Wednesday afternoon. Investigators

The South Montgomery County Fire Department and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating a fire that was intentionally set inside an Imperial Oaks home Wednesday afternoon. Investigators said another fire previously had been set at the home less than 24 hours before, and investigators are treating the incident as arson.

The South Montgomery County Fire Department and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating a fire that was intentionally set inside an Imperial Oaks home Wednesday afternoon. Investigators

The South Montgomery County Fire Department and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating a fire that was intentionally set inside of an Imperial Oaks home Wednesday afternoon. Investigators said another fire had previously been set at the home less than 24 hours ago, and investigators are treating the incident as an arson.

The South Montgomery County Fire Department and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating a fire that was intentionally set inside of an Imperial Oaks home Wednesday afternoon. Investigators said another fire had previously been set at the home less than 24 hours ago, and investigators are treating the incident as an arson.

SOUTH COUNTY - Officials with the South Montgomery County Fire Department and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating a fire that was intentionally started at a home in the Imperial Oaks subdivision Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters first responded to a report of a house fire on Wickburn Drive just before 3:30 p.m., SMCFD Chief Robert Hudson said. Units with the SMCFD and The Woodlands Fire Department arrived on scene and had the flames knocked down within 20 minutes.

Several firefighters fell through the floor of the attic of the home; however, no injuries were reported and the home has been vacant for a number of years. The Fire Department previously responded to the same home for a fire Tuesday night, and it appears a person reset the fire Wednesday.

“The county fire marshal was here earlier today and left literally moments before this second fire was called in,” Hudson said.

Investigators found personal belongings and evidence of intrusion by one or more people, Hudson said. The second fire had been started in the back corner of the second floor and destroyed much of the top portion of the home.

Hudson said cases of arson are particularly rare in South Montgomery County, and having two fires set within 24 hours of each other is very rare.

“I’ve been here for five years and I think I can count on one hand the number of intentionally set fires we’ve responded to,” Hudson said.

A board member with the Imperial Oaks Homeowners Association, who asked not to be named, said this particular home had been a target of squatters and has stood vacant for over two years. Dealing with squatters isn’t common in the neighborhood, but he said the issue is being exacerbated by the mortgage company, which has yet to foreclose on the home and has left it vacant.

“If the mortgage company would step up and take responsibility and foreclose or do something with the property, this wouldn’t happen,” the member said. “We spend membership dues on things like protecting this home, cleaning it, boarding it up, mowing the lawn, and it’s money we never get back, all because the mortgage company will not take action on the home.”

Hudson also thanked the Montgomery County Hospital District and the Montgomery County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office for providing support and traffic control as officials continue their investigation.